EU Data Protection Laws Update

The vast majority of internet users do not trust the most fundamental of online companies which is why the EU are proposing the General Data Protection Regulation or EU Data Protection Laws.

What are the EU-wide Privacy Rules?

The EU Privacy law (GDPR or the EU Data Protection Law), that comes into law on May 25th 2018, update the EU law on how personal data can be processed and collected. It will also create one law that must be adopted by any country or company that operates within in the EU.

What will the EU-wide Privacy Rules look like?

The laws are still being finalised and therefore we do not know exactly what they will look like.

However, it is very likely to make the use of personal data collected by an entity, to only be used with clearer awareness to the individual that the data belongs to. It will also ensure the security of such data.

What will the EU-wide Privacy Rule mean to the average internet user?

It will mean that any data collected (whether implicitly such as an IP address or explicitly such as entering your mobile number into a form) must be processed under the new law in a way that the user in question is aware of; in laymen’s terms, the consent of the user must be obtained.

Will the EU-wide Privacy Rule have a negative effect on website owners?

It’s hard to be sure as the finalised law is still being debated. As all companies will be required by law (or face up to a €20 million fine) to carry out such diligence, no company should be able to obtain a significant advantage.

What we can say though is that it is unlikely to have a negative effect on websites that understand the new laws and plan a strategy in advance to comply.

What can my business do to get ready for the EU Data Protection Law?

Each online business is different and like with any compliance it is not a one size fits all. Some companies might already be inadvertently complying with the likely processes that will inevitably be put in place.

However, the clear majority of sites currently are not handling personal data with the explicit knowledge of the individual or with the required security and therefore will need to act.

If you believe that these data protection laws might affect your current business practise and would like to find out more then give us a call, we love to chat…